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Alumni Awards List

Long before ROD HARMS came to Kansas State University from Hoisington High School, he knew that he would study to become what he termed an "environmental architect." Time and again while he was an undergraduate, the Department of Landscape Architecture faculty formally recognized his exceptional academic achievements.

Upon graduating, Harms accepted a post as Community Planner with Carter and Burgess in Dallas, Texas. Later, at Delsanter and Associates, he was responsible for the design of large scale mixed use community developments.

During 1986, Harms shaped the concept and business plan for what has become Civitas Development Group Incorporated. He and two of his classmates, Stephanie Rolley and Gary Schmitz, were the initial nucleus of the firm whose activities now encompass all aspects of planning, land development and real estate services. Operating from its Dallas office building, Civitas plans and develops single family communities for the second largest home builder in the city, manages more than 100 properties for a major savings bank, has recently launched its own home building division and provides a broad range of clients with professional services designed to enhance the value of their assets.

Harms regularly commutes between his apartment in the Civitas office building and his home in Manhattan, Kansas, where his wife Stephanie Rolley and their young daughter live.